Changes

=== References ===

=== References ===

1. Patwardhan K. The history of the discovery of blood circulation: unrecognized contributions of Ayurveda masters. Adv Physiol Educ. 2012 Jun;36(2):77-82. doi: 10.1152/advan.00123.2011.

#Patwardhan K. The history of the discovery of blood circulation: unrecognized contributions of Ayurveda masters. Adv Physiol Educ. 2012 Jun;36(2):77-82. doi: 10.1152/advan.00123.2011.

Glossary:

 

Dhamanī /Dhamanyah

=== Glossary ===

A kind of blood vessel that pulsates; Dhamanyaḥ originate in the heart and may carry different substances like Rasa, Rakta, and Ojas.  

 

Hridaya

#''Dhamanī /Dhamanyah'': A kind of blood vessel that pulsates; ''Dhamanyah'' originate in the heart and may carry different substances like ''Rasa, Rakta,'' and ''Ojas''.  

The heart; According to Suśruta, Phupphusa (left lung) and Pleeha (spleen) are situated on the left side of Hṛdaya, whereas, Yakrita (liver) and Klomia (right lung) on the right side. A few scholars suggest that the term Hridaya means ‘central’ or ‘vital’ organ, and therefore, can stand for different organs in different contexts.  

#''Hridaya'': The heart; According to Suśruta, ''Phupphusa'' (left lung) and ''Pleeha'' (spleen) are situated on the left side of ''Hridaya'', whereas ''Yakrita'' (liver) and ''Klomia'' (right lung) on the right side. A few scholars suggest that the term ''Hridaya'' means ‘central’ or ‘vital’ organ, and therefore, can stand for different organs in different contexts.  

Ojas

#''Ojas'': The essence of all seven ''dhatus'' that is vital for life; also suggestive of ''bala'' (immunity). The ten attributes of ''ojas'' are ''guru'' (heavy), ''sheeta'' (cold), ''mridu'' (soft), ''shlakshna'' (smooth), ''bahala'' (abundant), ''madhura'' (sweet), ''sthira'' (stable), ''prasanna'' (bright), ''picchila'' (sticky), and ''snigdha'' (unctuous). Functionally this is very closely related to ''kapha''.  

The essence of all seven Dhatavah that is vital for life; also suggestive of Bala (immunity). The ten attributes of Ojas are Guru (heavy), Sheeta (cold), Mṛdu (soft), Shlakshna (smooth), Bahala (abundant), Madhura (sweet), Sthira (stable), Prasanna (bright), Picchila (sticky), and Snigdha (unctuous). Functionally this is very closely related to kapha.  

#Rasa: The first Dhatu among seven Dhatavah (or dhatus). This is a liquid that is pumped out of Hridaya (Heart), and that circulates continuously all over the body to nourish the other Dhatavah. Vyana Vayu and Samana Vayu help in its circulation. The major function of Rasa Dhatu is Prinana (nourishing).  

Rasa

The first Dhatu among seven Dhatavah (or dhatus). This is a liquid that is pumped out of Hridaya (Heart), and that circulates continuously all over the body to nourish the other Dhatavah. Vyana Vayu and Samana Vayu help in its circulation. The major function of Rasa Dhatu is Prinana (nourishing).  

Sira / Sirah

Sira / Sirah

A kind of blood vessel that transports the contents from one place to another; According to Vagbhata, they originate in the heart. They carry various substances including Rasa, Rakta, and Ojas.  

A kind of blood vessel that transports the contents from one place to another; According to Vagbhata, they originate in the heart. They carry various substances including Rasa, Rakta, and Ojas.  

Srotas / Srotamsi

Srotas / Srotamsi

Structures meant for the transportation of dhatus that are undergoing the process of transformation. The appearance of a Srotas is similar to the dhatu that it transports. These are of two types: Sthula (gross), and Anu or Sukshma (minute). This term is also suggestive of a kind of vessel that facilitates the fluid exchange. Sushruta states that there are eleven pairs of Srotamsi (channels) that transport eleven different biological entities: Prana, Anna, Udaka, Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Mutra, Purisha, Shukra, and Artava.  Caraka explains that there are thirteen gross Srotamsi in the body that carry the following entities: Prana, Anna, Udaka, Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Majja, Shukra, Mutra, Purisha, and Sveda.

Structures meant for the transportation of dhatus that are undergoing the process of transformation. The appearance of a Srotas is similar to the dhatu that it transports. These are of two types: Sthula (gross), and Anu or Sukshma (minute). This term is also suggestive of a kind of vessel that facilitates the fluid exchange. Sushruta states that there are eleven pairs of Srotamsi (channels) that transport eleven different biological entities: Prana, Anna, Udaka, Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Mutra, Purisha, Shukra, and Artava.  Caraka explains that there are thirteen gross Srotamsi in the body that carry the following entities: Prana, Anna, Udaka, Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Majja, Shukra, Mutra, Purisha, and Sveda.